South Africa gears up for series against England

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Last Updated: Mon, Jul 09, 2012 08:32 hrs

The South Africa team management will give its entire squad match practice in the first two-day tour match against Somerset starting on Monday in Taunton, as the match does not carry any official first-class status.

The match may be a warm-up but the Proteas will be using the time as best as they can, as they look to shift into gear ahead of the Test match starting in 11 days.

Gary Kirsten said: "We have asked that we can play a bigger team and Somerset have been accommodating towards that," commented Kirsten.

"I think they (Somerset) are looking forward to the game, they probably have some players who want to make a play against us. It's going to be a competitive game."

The Proteas were able to have their first outdoor training session on Sunday afternoon, after the sun gave way following days of torrential rain, Sport24 reports.

Alviro Petersen and Marchant de Lange will be rested for the match, after picking up niggles in the build-up.Team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said: "Petersen sprained a joint in his left fore-foot after stepping awkwardly during a training run yesterday, and Marchant is still struggling with a left lower back strain. They are being rested as more of a precautionary measure to make sure they are fully rehabilitated to take part in match day activities."

The players have been training diligently away from the cricket field, an aspect which Kirsten is impressed about.

"I'm very happy with where we are, we put in a lot of hard training during our camp in Switzerland and the few days that we have been here (England), the guys aren't letting up; they want more. In terms of where we're going with our training and preparation we are right up there," said Kirsten.